Musical stringed instrument



J. L. LEWIS.

' MUSICAL STRINGED INSTRUMENT.

APPLlCATlON FILED IIAY 6. 1919.

1,346,458, Patented July 13, 1920.

Mmwroz. cfohnfi- Z n 01 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. LEWIS, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

MUSICAL STRINGED INSTRUMENT. V

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 13, 1920.

Application filed May 6, 19 9. Serial No. 295,138.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN L. Lnwrs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Musical Stringed Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a stringed musical instrument,and has particular reference to such an instrument which may be played for producing music similar to that from a guitar or like instrument.

An important object of the invention is to provide a stringed musical instrument of the above mentioned character, which may be played by an operator, such as a child, who would be incapable of making the frets on the ordinary guitar, and which is comparatively easy to learn to play.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a stringed musical instrument, includin my invention, shown in perspective, an

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the pin upon which the string is wound.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodi ment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a box constituting the body portion of the instrument, and having a fiat sounding board 6, equipped with an opening 7, preferably centrally arranged.

The sounding board 6 is equipped with sets of strings T, B fiat, C, F and G.

The set of strings T are employed to carry the tune or melody and may consist of the six strings of the guitar, to wit, E, A, D, G, B, and E. These strings are tuned open, as upon the guitar, and are arranged over a finger board having the frets 8 of the guitar.

The sets of strings B flat, C, F and G are tuned to produce the chords B flat, C, F, and

G, by the operator sweeping the fingers over the same. Each set of strings for the corresponding chord embodies the same strings as are employed on the guitar to produce the chord, but on the present instrument the strings are tuned to produce the chord without pressing the frets, as with the guitar.

The sets of strings are suitably attached to the lower end of the boxl, and pass over a bridge 9, and are connected with keys 10,

having portions 11, whichare square in cross section so that they may be turned. 7

Arranged inwardly of and near the bridge 9 is a series of characters 12, serving to designate the chords, as shown;

The numeral 13 designates a bridge which may be placed under the strings of the B flat chord,-.so that these strings will be properly tuned to produce the chord, without being wound too tightly. However, this bridge may be omitted and the strings suitably tuned to produce the chord.

In playing the instrument, the operator presses the frets 8 of the-set of strings T to play the tuneor melody, and if desired he may also play the accompaniment on this set. He may simply play the tune or melody on the set T and produce the chords by sweeping the fingers over the other sets of strings, in proper order. If he is playing in key of C he will sweep the fingers over the sets of strings C, F and G, in proper order. The instrument may also be played by two operators, one operator carrying the tune on the strings T and the other operator playing the chords. The sets of strings are spaced so that they will not be readily confused.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

'A musical instrument comprising a hollow body having a top formed with a central opening and co'nstituting'a sounding board, abridge extending wholly across the sounding board adjacent one end thereof, a set of strings arranged adjacent one side edge of the body and cooperating with said bridge, frets arranged on the sounding board and underlying said set of strings, and a plurality of additional sets of strings, arranged in spaced groups and cooperating with said bridge, the strings of each group being tuned to produce a particular chord when sounded.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN L. LEWIS. 

